“I will return to the base and organize our men. I will see that Austin enjoys a lingering death, that he experiences fear and pain as the life drains from his body, that-”

“No. Have someone else do it. I have other plans for you. You must leave for Canada immediately to make sure the specimens get there safely, then you are to go to Washington and eliminate that Senator who opposes our legislation. I have arranged cover for you and your men.”

The pilot glanced with fierce longing at the monitor and touched the tender mush that was his nose. “As you wish,” he said with re- luctance.

His hands played over the cyclic pitch control, and a moment later the hovering helicopter darted off in the direction of the old harbor.

Unaware how close he had come to a violent end, Austin sat behind the steering wheel of Professor Jorgensen's Volvo, contemplating his next move. He was wary of the remote location of the cottage. He gazed at the warm lights of the town, then grabbed his duffel and left the car. He walked into the village without encountering a soul and went up to the house behind the church.

Pia beamed when she opened the door at his knock and invited him inside. The exertions of the day must have been apparent in his face. When he stepped into the light, her smile disappeared. “Are you all right?” she said, with concern in her voice.

“Nothing a glass ofalamt couldn't help.”

Clucking like a mother hen, she ushered him to the kitchen table, poured him a tall glass ofafavit, then watched as he drank. “Well?” she said finally. “Did you catch many fish?”

“No, but I went to visit the mermaids.”

Pia let out a whooping laugh, clapped her hands and poured him a couple more fingers of liquor. “I lew it!” she said, with excitement in her voice. “And were the caves as wonderful as my father said?”

She listened like a child as Austin described his entry through the Mermaid's Gate at slack tide and his journey into the cave network. He told her that he would have stayed longer but men with guns chased him away. Cursing impressively in Faroese, she said, “You can't go back to the cottage tonight. Gunnar says he doesn't work for those people, but I think he does.”

“I was wondering the same thing. I left the car at the fish pier. Maybe I should leave town.”

“God, no! You'll drive off the road into the sea. No, you will stay here tonight and leave early tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you want a gentleman staying the night? People will talk,” Austin said with a broad smile.

She grinned back, eyes sparkling with childlike mischief. “I hope so.”